Editorial
UNESCO-UNEVOC Bulletin 21

The Shanghai Consensus, the outcome document that followed the recent Third International Congress on TVET advocates for expanding and enhancing the capacities of the UNEVOC Network, to enable the key role of the Network in developing the capacities of decision‐makers and practitioners, and to facilitate the involvement of all stakeholders. Following the recommendations outlined in the Shanghai Consensus, the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre is working towards revamping the role of the UNEVOC Network by introducing sub-clusters in all regions to allow for a better interface with all the Centres. The recent UNEVOC Network Regional Workshop in Amman, Jordan, successfully brought together representatives from the UNEVOC Network to review and clarify the present roles and responsibilities of the national UNEVOC centres in the region. The workshop enabled the Network members to consider how the UNEVOC Centres can be more directly involved in national policy review and related policy development; establishing the required database for TVET; and the production of information and knowledge needed at national and sub-regional level.

Enhancing the relevance of TVET by including “education for ‘green’ economies and ‘green’ societies” was among the recommendations in the Shanghai Consensus, which also highlighted the necessity of developing effective policies aimed at improving teaching and learning processes, professionalizing TVET staff, and strengthening teaching standards. In line with this, UNESCO-UNEVOC is prioritizing its work in the areas of greening TVET and TVET teacher education through close collaboration with its partners and the global UNEVOC Network. The recent establishment of the interagency working group on greening TVET and skills development demonstrates the necessity to unite our efforts in promoting green skills around the globe.

Several recent activities and events undertaken by UNESCO-UNEVOC are presented in this bulletin. Among these is the soft launch of the World TVET database pilot project, which provides concise, reliable and up-to-date information on TVET systems in countries worldwide. It is also a pleasure to share with you the UNEVOC biennial report 2010-2011, the synthesis report on TVET in post-conflict and post-disaster situations, and the meeting report following the meeting on Fostering Capacity Building in TVET and Skills Development in Afghanistan in March 2012.

UNESCO-UNEVOC welcomed several visitors to its premises in Bonn, including the Ambassador of India to Germany, the Director of WorldSkills Germany, and representatives from Ford, University of Toronto, University of Bonn and Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University. We would like to thank all visitors for the fruitful discussions, and look forward to further dialogue in the near future.

It is my pleasure to invite you to read Bulletin 21 of the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre.

Shyamal Majumdar

Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre

Read bulletin 21

UNEVOC interns take part in study visit exchange programme
14-15 August 2012, Bonn and Siegburg, Germany

Water is a central component of the emerging green economy. However, there are many challenges to be overcome, such as water scarcity, water losses, and water resource and waste water management. At the same time, skills gaps in the water and waste sector constrain the development of water infrastructures and emerging green jobs. The UNESCO–UNEVOC International Centre and the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA) work closely together to advocate for emerging skills development, to support learning on mainstreaming green economy approaches to TVET in promoting water professionals and skills development, and to bridge the skills gap across the sector by exploring new labour markets associated with the introduction of new technology and trades.

On 14 August 2012, UNESCO-UNEVOC interns whom are taking part in the GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) International Leadership Training in Sustainability Management visited the DWA to learn more about its work in water and waste management. During the visit, the interns were provided the chance to ask questions and exchange experiences with the DWA interns. On 15 August 2012, the UNEVOC interns welcomed two interns from DWA to the UNEVOC premises and presented on the work of UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre in the areas of sustainability and greening TVET.

The aim of this two-day exchange programme was to share knowledge and improve the understanding of the partnership between DWA and UNESCO-UNEVOC in the field of TVET for the water and wastewater industry. The exchange programme also supports the development of the water toolkit, jointly developed by UNESCO-UNEVOC and DWA.

The UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre currently hosts three GIZ International Leadership Training participants. The International Leadership Training (ILT) Sustainability Management provides training for management staff in enterprises and institutions in order to initiate and manage a change process for sustainable development within their work environment. The training in Germany consists of cross-cutting courses in management for sustainability provided by leading institutions. The objective of the training is to provide participants with the skills to define and implement a transfer project in their respective home institutions with the support of their employer.


Links

More information about DWA

GIZ ILT sustainability management programme

Capacity Building for Education for All: TVET scoping mission
16-20 July 2012, Monrovia, Liberia

From 16 to 20 July 2012, Mr Teeluck Bhuwanee, Head of the UNEVOC Network, went on a scoping mission to Liberia. Accompanied by Mr Tirso Dos Santos, Officer-in-Charge, UNESCO Accra Cluster Office, the mission was organized following the inclusion of Liberia on the list of priority countries to benefit from the CapEFA (Capacity Building for Education for All) programme, with particular focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The main objectives of the scoping mission were:

• To finalize the TVET CapEFA tool with substantive input from national authorities and stakeholders in the field of TVET;
• To conduct a preliminary mapping exercise, with regard to TVET activities in Liberia;
• To discuss the modalities for undertaking the capacity assessment and establish a capacity assessment team; and
• To come to an agreement with Government authorities on the next steps leading to the capacity assessment and the development of capacity development action plans.

As part of the Scoping mission, a TVET Technical Working Group meeting was held to present on the CapEFA capacity development approach, and different organizations outlined their involvement in TVET activities and shared their views on the opportunities and challenges to be addressed. The Focal Point of the UNEVOC Centre in Liberia, Mr Yonton Kesselly, was also present at the meeting, but in parallel facilitated a training of TVET teachers organized by ECOWAS and the Inter-Agency Task Team on TVET (IATT).

Government authorities and partners welcome a capacity assessment exercise that will take stock of existing capacities; identify capacity gaps and introduce a comprehensive capacity development action plan. Working together with the members of the team appointed by the Liberian authorities, the mission team reviewed the capacity assessment tool, and agreed on the next steps in terms of the objectives and intended outputs and scoping of the capacity assessment.

UNESCO-UNEVOC will assist this initiative by supporting the design of data collection instruments, through sharing of experiences of similar exercises held successfully in other countries and by providing expert advice during the assessment exercise.

CapEFA (website)

Entrepreneurship Education in the Arab States – Component II

© UNESCO / Roger Dominique

The UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre and the UNESCO Regional Bureau in Beirut are jointly implementing a project entitled “Entrepreneurship Education in the Arab States”. This four-year activity (2009-2012), which is funded by the StratREAL Foundation, aims to support Arab countries in the development of educational policies and programmes to include the concept of “entrepreneurship” in their formal education systems. Under Component I (2009-2010) of the project, four case studies on entrepreneurship education in Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Tunisia, as well as a regional synthesis report, were published in Arabic and English.

Component II of the project focused on encouraging Member States and relevant Ministries to be involved in the integration of Entrepreneurship Education (EPE) concepts in a wide range of educational and training programmes (i.e. general secondary education, TVET, and higher education). In the context of component II of the project ‘Entrepreneurship Education in the Arab States’ three different countries have initiated efforts to incorporate entrepreneurship education (EPE) in their respective education systems, namely Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco. In all three countries, there is a strong desire, both on the governmental level and in the private sector, to incorporate the EPE concept into the education system and to establish curricula for skills-oriented teaching. Under component II all three countries carried out a review of existing policies and frameworks, as well as a mapping of existing initiatives on EPE in the respective countries.


The pilot projects in Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco have illustrated the existing similarities between the different countries in terms of the objectives for entrepreneurship education and the opportunities for collaborations with stakeholders from the public and private sector, as well as the necessity to develop guidelines for teachers and other implementing stakeholders. The experiences that were gained through these pilot initiatives are of great value for the further development of national policies and frameworks. At the same time, the sharing of these experiences across the entire Arab region can be further facilitated to contribute to further insight into good practices in entrepreneurship education in the Arab context and the exploring of opportunities for collaboration between countries in the region. More detailed information about the activities that were implemented can be found in the synthesis report.

Documents

Synthesis report English / Arabic (PDF, 183KB)

Component I Report - Case Studies on the Arab States and Regional Synthesis Report | Arabic / English (PDF, 682KB)

Links

Entrepreneurship Education in the Arab States (2009-2012), Results of Component I and Call for Proposals

Component I of activity Entrepreneurship Education in the Arab States underway, August 2009

“Is green development a contradiction or an opportunity? The skills perspective”
Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum, Bonn, Germany

UNESCO-UNEVOC was invited to host a workshop on “Green development – a contradiction or an opportunity?” at the Global Media Forum in Bonn, Germany, on 25 June 2012.

The Global Media Forum takes place every year and is hosted by Deutsche Welle, Germany’s international broadcasting service. This year, it took place under the patronage of the German Commission for UNESCO. In over 50 panel discussions and workshops under the theme of “Education. Culture. Media. Shaping a Sustainable World”, the three-day Forum aimed to provide a platform for debate on the right to education, skills and cultural diversity, and the role of the media in shaping sustainable societies. 1800 participants from 100 countries – educators, policy makers and journalists – were expected, including German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and former Indonesian President Jusuf Habibie.


UNEVOC workshop

The panellists of the UNEVOC workshop debated on the question, “Is green development a contradiction or an opportunity?”

Mr Shyamal Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, was the host and moderator of the workshop. He presented the mandate and role of the United Nations in green development and why its member states consider green skills an important theme that can make the shift towards a low-carbon economy happen. He also gave an overview of the role of UNESCO in implementing the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).


Ms Shobha Mishra Ghosh from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry was first to speak, presenting the perspective of the industry and the demand for qualified workers with green skills, displaying a definite need of training in this area.




Next to take the floor was Prof. Rajesh Khambayat of the National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research, Department of Education and Research, Bhopal, India. He responded to Ms Ghosh’s presentation by offering the perspective from the formal education sector, the supply side. His presentation was centred on three main concerns: how to prepare the workforce for a green economy; how to respond to business needs; and how to educate for green jobs.

Laila Iskandar, Chair of Community and Institutional Development (CID) Consulting provided an alternative angle to the discussion: the community perspective. She shared her experiences in Egypt leading a waste recycling project with youth in Cairo. This uncovered some harsh realities, but also presented the project as a means to equip the poorest youth with market-based vocational skills and learning that will help them live in sustainable ways and contribute to the development of their communities.

The last panellist was Armin Himmelrath, freelance journalist specializing in education, whose presentation highlighted the contribution of the media in building better awareness on green skills and environmental issues. He presented the realities of the newsroom in getting environmental themes published and found that, ironically, demand for environmental themes declines as public awareness on the environment rises.


After hearing from the panellists, a 30 minute open discussion took place, with many questions from the audience to all members of the panel. The questions were varied in theme, and instigated a great discussion amongst the panellists who offered different perspectives to the questions posed.

The session ended with some concluding remarks by Mr Majumdar, who summarized the main points discussed during the workshop as:

• the need to integrate green skills into existing occupations;
• the gap between the demand and supply sides of the green economy;
• the education sector lagging behind green technological advances;
• the importance of integrating green skills in TVET and;
• the vital role of non-formal and informal education systems in sustainable development.

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/deutschewelle/sets/72157630278428484/with/7440107178/ Photos of the workshop]

[http://soundcloud.com/dwgmf/is-green-development-a Sound recording of the workshop]

[http://issuu.com/dw_gmf/docs/gmf_doku_2012_-_education_and_culture_issuu/1 Final report]

(Global Media Forum website) [http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15876143,00.html More information about the workshop]


Panellists

Shobha Mishra Ghosh

Director, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi, India

Prof. Rajesh Khambayat

National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research, Department of Education and Research, Bhopal, India

Laila Iskandar

Chair, Community and Institutional Development (CID) Consulting, Cairo, Egypt

Armin Himmelrath

Freelance journalist, Cologne, Germany

Shyamal Majumdar (Moderator)

Head of the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Bonn, Germany


Photos © Deutsche Welle/K. Danetzki

UNESCO-UNEVOC hosts lecture by Dr Madlen Serban from the European Training Foundation
21 June 2012, Bonn, Germany

On 21 June 2012, the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre hosted a lecture, organized by BIBB (German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training) at its premises in Bonn, Germany. Mr Shyamal Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC and Mr Jan Ebben from BIBB were honoured to welcome Dr Madlen Serban, Director of the European Training Foundation(ETF) to hold a presentation on TVET consulting. Dr Serban presented on her experiences in TVET consulting as a beneficiary, as a consultant herself and currently in her role as Director of ETF, a consulting organization. She highlighted the importance of having a holistic understanding of TVET systems around the globe and the expectations of the beneficiary and recognition of specific contexts. She advocated for the need in balancing an outcome-oriented and process-oriented approach and stressed crucial elements such as building trust, mutual learning and ownership.

Dr Serban also presented about her recent work at the ETF and in particular about the Torino Process, an initiative which was launched by ETF in 2010. The Torino Process advocates for evidence-based policy making and a participatory approach in human capital development, and is carried out in order to build consensus on the possible ways forward in VET policy and system development.

The lecture was organized by BIBB and forms part of the ‘International Advisory Academy’ which features lectures of distinguished professionals in the field of international TVET consulting.

UNESCO-UNEVOC, BIBB, and Cert-IT explore future collaboration on quality accreditation in VET

On 13 June 2012, the Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre, Mr Shyamal Majumdar met with Mr Thomas Michel and Mr Björn Scholz from Cert-IT and Mr Michael Härtel from the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB, Germany).

The purpose of the meeting was to explore possible future collaboration between the parties to ensure quality in TVET for technical and vocational institutions through an accreditation structure that will meet not only local and regional standards but also aims to define internationally accepted TVET certification. Follow-up meetings are expected to be conducted in the near future.

Cert-IT is a certifying body for the IT and Education sector that addresses the needs for the growing skills shortage in the IT industry.

UNESCO-UNEVOC attends Environment Week in Berlin

On 6 June 2012, Mr Shyamal Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, attended the Environment Week in Berlin. On the invitation of the German President, in collaboration with the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), this exhibition was held in the park of Schloss Bellevue, and provided the opportunity for about 200 companies, institutions, research institutions, associations and initiatives to present new technologies, projects and concepts for a sustainable and efficient use of global resources.

Mr Majumdar participated in a discussion on green occupations, organized by World Skills Germany, in preparation of World Skills Leipzig 2013. The discussion was organized to gather input from the experts for WorldSkills 2013. Among the presenters were Mr Majumdar from UNESCO-UNEVOC; Dipl. Ing. Rudiger Heidebrecht from the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste(DWA); Elfi Klumpp, CEO of WorldSkills Germany; and Marion Krampe from the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB, a UNEVOC Centre).

In the discussion, Mr Majumdar presented the key global challenges in the transition to a green economy and emphasized the growing demand for the development of human resources and green skills development. He highlighted the two different types of green skills; those skills that already exist but which need to be transformed to become green, and those new skills that will emerge as a consequence of green technology developments. Mr Majumdar finally stressed the huge shortages of relevant skills for a green economy, and advocated for a global response to this global challenge.


More information about the environment week (website)

UNESCO-UNEVOC participates in German development cooperation event
Engagement fairbindet: Zukunftsentwickler 2012, 25 May 2012, Bonn, Germany

On 25 May 2012, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) organized ‘Engagement fairbindet: Zukunftsentwickler 2012’. The event was organized to provide a platform for a wide range of stakeholders and development organizations to exchange ideas and present new initiatives in the context of international development cooperation and sustainable development. In the presence of the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Guido Westerwelle and Dirk Niebel, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, the BMZ also inaugurated its new logo for German Cooperation.

The event, which was held in the garden of the former Federal Chancellery in Bonn, attracted over 3,000 participants from the political, social, business and media sector. The UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre was represented at the United Nations booth where the Centre, together with other UN agencies based in Bonn, presented its work and recent activities. In particular, the 54 winning photos of the recent photo competition were exhibited in a digital photo gallery.

During the event, Mr Shyamal Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, and representatives from the other UN agencies, welcomed the State Secretary of BMZ, Mr Hans-Jürgen Beerfeltz, to the United Nations booth. Mr Majumdar also held a discussion with Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Dirk Niebel.

The event provided UNESCO-UNEVOC the opportunity to learn about new initiatives and engage with stakeholders in Germany and international development cooperation.

More information about the event (in German)







© UNESCO-UNEVOC / Shyamal Majumdar with BMZ State Secretary Hans-Jürgen Beerfeltz and Flavia Pansieri, UN Volunteers Executive Coordinator, visiting the UN Bonn booth

UNESCO-UNEVOC launches the World TVET Database
The World TVET Database is an online tool hosted by UNEVOC that provides concise, reliable and up-to-date information on technical and vocational education and training systems in countries worldwide.
http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/worldtvetdatabase.php?q=wtdb_about

Capacity Building Regional Workshop for UNEVOC Centres in the Arab States
Amman, Jordan, 2-4 July 2012

The UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre organized, in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States, the UNESCO Office in Amman and the National Center for Human Resources Development Jordan(NCHRD), the Capacity Building Regional Workshop for UNEVOC Centres in the Arab States, which took place in Amman, Jordan, from 2 to 4 July 2012. The International Centre was represented by Mr. Teeluck Bhuwanee, Head of the UNEVOC Network.

The aim of this workshop was to reposition the role of UNESCO-UNEVOC in the Arab States, and to consider the present roles and responsibilities of the national UNEVOC centres in the region. The workshop brought a review and a clarification on the respective roles and responsibilities of the national UNEVOC Centres as part of the global UNEVOC Network and the role they are playing in the Arab region. The focus has been given to the priority intervention areas and the role UNEVOC centres should play in these areas as well as the capacity that is needed to achieve them.

The workshop enabled the participants to consider the role of the UNEVOC Centres within the national policy framework and to consider how they can be more directly involved in:

• A national policy review and related policy development;
• Establishing the required database for TVET; and
• The production of information and knowledge needed at national and sub-regional level.

Mr. Teeluck Bhuwanee presented the new Network strategy, the repositioning of UNESCO-UNEVOC to respond to the TVET priorities in line with UNESCO’s TVET Strategy, and the services available at the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre in Bonn, Germany.

This meeting follows the recent Third International Congress on TVET (Shanghai, May 2012) and the TVET Regional Expert Meeting (Muscat, March 2012) and provided the opportunity to follow up on previous discussions. During the meeting, experiences were shared among participants on good practices in different parts of the region. It raised the question of regional integration through better cooperation among countries and the development of synergies between UNESCO Field Offices, the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre, and the national UNEVOC Centres.

Among the participants were the Directors and Deans of UNEVOC Centres in the Arab region, programme specialists responsible for education/TVET from the UNESCO Regional Bureau - Beirut and other UNESCO Field Offices in the Arab region, representing Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen. Each participant prepared a report on the current challenges and good practices of TVET in their country, as well as an evaluation of what has been achieved by the UNEVOC centre since its inception.

Documents


Amman statement: English / Arabic


Concept note

First UNEVOC Network member in Afghanistan
Deputy Ministry of TVET in the Ministry of Education

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is now represented in the UNEVOC Network with the creation of the first UNEVOC Centre in the country, the Deputy Ministry of TVET in the Ministry of Education (DM-TVET, MoE). DM-TVET’s membership arose on the occasion of a four-day Experts’ Meeting on Fostering Capacity in TVET and Skills Development in Afghanistan, co-organized and hosted by the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre in Bonn, Germany, from 12-16 March 2012. During this meeting, UNESCO-UNEVOC was honoured to welcome the Deputy Minister of Education, Mr H.E. Mohammad Asif Nang, and Mr Zekrullah Taibi, Policy and Programs Development Director at the Ministry of Education in Afghanistan.

The application of DM-TVET received the support of the National UNESCO Office in Kabul as well as the endorsement of the Acting Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO & ISESCO.

The UNEVOC Unit was established in the Policy and Planning Unit of the Deputy Ministry, which is responsible for the appropriate coordination and implementation of the programmes and the external relations.

Links

DM-TVET, MoE (website)

UNEVOC Network Directory

New UNEVOC Network Member in Nigeria
National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Centre of Excellence for TVET

The NBTE Centre of Excellence in TVET is a unit under the National Board for Technical Education, which is the agency established by the Federal Government of Nigeria for the coordination of TVET in the country. The mission of the NBTE Centre of Excellence for TVET is to support TVET policy and human resources development in Nigeria and in the West African Region. The NBTE Centre of Excellence for TVET aims to promote the production of skilled/semi-skilled technical and professional manpower, to revitalize, and sustain the national economy, reduce unemployment and poverty through the setting and maintenance of high standards, provision of current and reliable information for planning and decision making, sourcing and disbursing of funds and adequate linkages with industry. The objectives of the NBTE Centre of Excellence for TVET are mainly: capacity development for TVET personnel, innovation and dissemination of best TVET practices, networking of TVET institutions and promoting the development of flexible Skills.

The Centre organizes training workshops, develops learning materials, and facilitates the institutionalization of the National Vocational Qualifications Framework in Nigeria. They furthermore coordinate the staff development centers which are located in 12 Nigerian polytechnics. The Board also organizes and takes part in national and international activities.

The NBTE Centre of Excellence for TVET is the third UNEVOC Centre in Nigeria.


Links


NBTE Centre of Excellence for TVET (website)


UNEVOC Network Directory

New UNEVOC Network member: Ecole Polytechnique of Niamey

The Ecole Polytechnique of Niamey (EPN) is the third UNEVOC Centre in Niger, but the first one to be established in the capital Niamey. The Executive Secretary of the Niger National Commission for UNESCO and ISESCO (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) strongly endorsed its application to become a UNEVOC Centre.

As a higher technical and vocational training institute, the EPN provides initial and continuous training programmes which take a competency-based approach. The polytechnic provides engineering studies and delivers AEC (Attestation of College Studies) programmes at the Bachelor and Master levels. Some additional courses are also provided to prepare students for international professional certifications. With its international network of partners, EPN is the first institute in Niger to offer a double degree (Canadian and Nigerien). The institute also provides companies with training and coaching activities, adapted training plans and training impact evaluation.

EPN contributes to improving the quality of TVET programmes in the country and fosters research and development in this field. It seeks to enlarge its network at national and international levels and has established partnerships with the FEDE (European Federation of schools) and the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment of Niger.

The mission of EPN is to provide the job market with skilled workers and qualified professionals capable of contributing to the continuous development of Niger. In accordance with its overall mission for development, the school furthermore promotes the preservation of natural resources, advocates for environmental awareness and strives to train responsible citizens and agents of positive change.

Links

Website

UNEVOC Network Directory

UNEVOC in Action: Biennial report 2010-2011
This biennial report provides a comprehensive overview of the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre's activities in TVET in 2010-2011. It indicates how the Centre has helped to improve TVET in UNESCO Member States and serves as an information document for those who are interested in the work of the Centre.
http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/docs/UNEVOCBiennialReport1011.pdf

Synthesis report: Moderator-driven e-Forum discussion on TVET in post-conflict and post-disaster situations
This report summarizes the discussions that were held during the e-Forum online conference, moderated by Karina Veal, on TVET in post-conflict and post-disaster situations (16-30 April 2012).
http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/docs/e-Forum_SynthesisReport_PCPD.pdf

Booklet: School-to-Work Transition Information Bases
The booklet, jointly published by published by the Education Policy and Reform Unit of UNESCO Bangkok and the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre, is the result of a regional thematic study which draws on country studies and presentations delivered at the UNESCO Synthesis Workshop on School-to-Work Transition Information Bases and the Role of the UNEVOC Network, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 23 to 26 August 2011. It likewise draws on the insights, knowledge and experience of the national experts and UNEVOC Centre representatives who participated in the workshop.
http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/epr/TVET/School-to-Work_Final31May2012_01.pdf

Meeting report: Experts' Meeting on Fostering Capacity Building in TVET and Skills Development in Afghanistan
From 12-16 March 2012, an Experts' Meeting on Fostering Capacity Building in TVET and Skills Development in Afghanistan was held at UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre in Bonn, Germany.
http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/docs/Report-Afghan-Final_Version_11-16_March_2012.pdf

General developments
Current membership: 2392
Messages: In the period June-August 2012, 396 messages have been distributed via the e-Forum.

Recent discussions (June-August 2012)
For those who are not a member of the e-Forum: You can access the messages via http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/forum. Note that you need to log in to be able to read messages. If you do not yet have a UNEVOC account or do not wish to create one, please use the following login information to access the e-Forum archives in read-only mode: User "Bulletin", password "read".

Online or e-learning mode of Skill Development courses?
A debate started to untangle the relevance and effectiveness of offering online skills development courses, and the challenges related to neglecting the importance of face-to-face instruction.
http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/forum.php?lang=en&skin=efor&show=1818

How to motivate TVET teachers to build linkages with industries
As a continuum from the e-Forum moderator-driven discussion on TVET teacher education, this exchange tries to understand how TVET teachers should be encouraged to establish linkages with industries. While members agreed on the importanc of teacher-industry linkages, the motivation of the teacher to build these linkages should be intrinsically driven.
http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/forum.php?lang=en&skin=efor&show=1817

TVET, Youth Unemployment and Local Economic Development
A lively discussion on the teaching and development of entrepreneurial attitudes among youth. Entrepreneurship is often considered as a viable option for young people to deal with high unemployment levels and contribute positively to economic development.
http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/forum.php?lang=en&skin=efor&show=1814

How to impart right attitude to TVET trainees
A discussion on the values, attitudes and behaviours that are considered important for TVET trainees, and which TVET trainees are expected to demonstrate at school and in the workplace. The discussion also touched upon the importance of teachers as role models, and demonstrating the right attitudes.
http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/forum.php?lang=en&skin=efor&show=1803

Vocationalisation of education revisited
Following earlier debates on the "The Vocational School Fallacy", this discussion covers the challenges faced in updating and integrating curricula that meet the demands of today's changing society, and in particular the extent to which it is the role of teachers to promote and integrate vocational skills in the curriculum.
http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/forum.php?lang=en&skin=efor&show=1764

Representatives from Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University visit UNESCO-UNEVOC

On 23 August 2012, Mr Shyamal Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, welcomed representatives from the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (BRSU) to the UNEVOC premises. Professor Jürgen Bode, Professor Günter Klein, Tim Stoffel and Henry Ajathi visited the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre in the context of their work for the International Centre for Sustainable Development (IZNE), a recently established centre based at the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University. The meeting was organized to explore common areas of work, discuss potential ways of future collaboration and UNEVOC’s participation at IZNE’s upcoming conference on entrepreneurship in Africa.

Mr Shyamal Majumdar presented on the work of UNESCO-UNEVOC, and in particular about the work in the areas of global networking, greening TVET and entrepreneurial learning. After the presentation, Professor Jürgen Bode and Professor Günter Klein held a presentation about the goals and activities of IZNE, and specifically presented on their project on entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development in Ghana.

The International Centre for Sustainable Development (IZNE) is a central institute of the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (BRSU). Its purpose is to integrate aspects of sustainability into practical teaching, research, and consulting. The Centre aims to sensitize, prepare, and educate students for the manifold challenges of society besides their regular education, and to support a major transformation towards sustainability through research and consulting.

The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to explore ways of working together in the future, and exchange experiences in the areas of sustainability and entrepreneurial learning.

Links

More information about IZNE

Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University (website)

Deputy Director of UNESCO-UIL visits UNEVOC

On 16 August 2012, Mr Shyamal Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre, welcomed Ms Carolyn Medel-Añonuevo, Deputy Director and Programme Coordinator at the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (Hamburg, Germany) to the UNEVOC premises. Ms Medel-Añonuevo visited the International Centre to learn more about the recent activities of the International Centre and discuss ways of future collaboration.

After an informal discussion, Mr Majumdar showed Ms Medel-Añonuevo around the premises and visited the Knowledge Management Centre, where a short presentation was given about the International Centre’s interactive kiosk and its online services.

UNESCO-UIL

Ambassador of India visits UNESCO-UNEVOC

On 2 August 2012, Mr Shyamal Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, was honoured to welcome the Ambassador of India to Germany, Mrs H.E. Mrs Sujatha Singh, to the UNEVOC premises. Mrs Singh visited the International Centre to learn more about UNEVOC’s activities and explore potential ways of collaboration. Mr Majumdar presented about UNEVOC’s recent work and the importance of global TVET development.

Mrs Sujatha Singh expressed her great satisfaction about the good work of UNESCO-UNEVOC and highlights the importance of cooperation between India and UNEVOC in the area of TVET and Skills development.


We are grateful for having had the opportunity to have discussions with the Ambassador and thank her for her visit.

Representatives from Ford visit UNESCO-UNEVOC

On 18 July 2012, Mr Gottfried Ruegenberg, Manager, Engineering Processes and Technical Skills, Ford of Europe, Mr Detlev Gilles, Chief of Operative Technical and Vocational Training, Cologne and Saarlouis, and Mr. Heinz Sieger, Human Resources Manager Cologne, Getrag ford transmission Gmbh, visited UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre to discuss common areas of interest. After a presentation by Mr Ruegenberg on the Ford training programme, Mr Shyamal Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, also presented on UNEVOC’s work and its recent activities. The visit provided an excellent opportunity for UNESCO-UNEVOC to learn more about the German dual system and the way this is implemented at Ford.

Vocational training at Ford Germany (website)

Representatives from University of Toronto and University of Bonn visit UNESCO-UNEVOC

On 20 July 2012, Mr Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, was honoured to welcome Professor Karen Ing from the University of Toronto, and Ms Ulrike Kind from the International Office of University Bonn, to the UNEVOC premises. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the possibilities of collaborating in the areas of internships in general and the establishment of a common internship programme (summer school combined with internship).

The University of Bonn is strongly interested in attracting international students and therefore wishes to work closely with UNESCO-UNEVOC in the future. It is expected that further discussions will also take place with other UN agencies that are based at the UN Campus in Bonn.

After a fruitful discussion, the visitors were shown around the premises and a short presentation was given with UNEVOC’s interactive kiosk.

Links

University of Bonn (website)

University of Toronto (website)

Ms Elfi Klumpp from WorldSkills Germany visits UNEVOC
13 July 2012, Bonn, Germany

On 13 July 2012, Mr Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, welcomed Ms Elfi Klumpp, Director of WorldSkills Germany, at the UNEVOC premises in Bonn. Following Mr Majumdar’s participation at a seminar during Environment Week in Berlin on 6 June 2012, Mr Majumdar was honoured to welcome Ms Klumpp to UNESCO-UNEVOC to discuss ways of collaborating with WorldSkills Germany towards "WorldSkills Leipzig 2013” as well as between WorldSkills International, its Member Organizations and the UNEVOC Centers worldwide. Mr Majumdar presented on UNEVOC’s work on green skills and the recent establishment of the interagency working group on greening TVET and skills development, and showed Ms Klumpp around the premises.

At the WorldSkills Leipzig 2013, which is the 42nd WorldSkills Competition to be held from 2 to 7 July 2013 in Leipzig, Germany the best skilled apprentices and young skilled workers from 61 countries and regions compete for the World Championship Title. The WorldSkills Competitions, which are held every other year, are open to competitors up to age 22 (some disciplines up to age 25), and are hosted by a different country each time. The aim of the event is to promote the awareness for vocational education and raise the standards. The WorldSkills Competition is held by WorldSkills International, a membership organization presently made up by 61 countries and regions.

UNESCO-UNEVOC will participate in WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 to highlight and raise awareness about the importance of green skills.

Links

UNESCO-UNEVOC attends Environment Week in Berlin, 6 June 2012

WorldSkills Germany

WorldSkills International

WorldSkills Leipzig2013

Secretary General of the Mongolia National Commission for UNESCO visits UNEVOC

On 30 May 2012, the Secretary-General of the Mongolia National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Gundegmaa Jargalsaikhan, visited UNESCO-UNEVOC. He was accompanied by Ms. Mayke Stauch from the German National Commission for UNESCO. Mr. Jargalsaikhan visited the Centre to learn more about UNEVOC’s activities and explore potential ways of collaboration. Mr. Shyamal Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, presented about UNEVOC’s recent work and informed Mr. Jargalsaikhan about the recently held TVET Congress in Shanghai, China. The discussions furthermore focused on ways to strengthen and expand the UNEVOC Network in Mongolia. After the discussions, Mr. Jargalsaikhan and Ms. Stauch were shown around the premises and visited the Knowledge Management Centre, where a short presentation was given about UNEVOC’s interactive kiosk and its online services.

We thank Mr. Jargalsaikhun for his visit and and look forward to further collaborating in the future.